Artist Virginia Nimarkoh’s project Viva Phoenix! documents the last of the original seven Covent Garden community gardens. The site is the meeting point for diverse narratives around community, nature, ownership and the city. Viva Phoenix! is evidence of a political and horticultural ideal; it celebrates the ongoing collective efforts that sustain such sites. Nimarkoh is joined by Stefan Horn, the artistic director of Nine Urban Biotopes, an international, socially engaged art project delivering artistic research and cultural exchange in cities in South Africa and Europe. The participating initiatives all distinguish themselves by addressing vital matters of social concern with regard to contemporary urban living in innovative ways, responding to issues of safety and housing, youth and migration, mobility and economical subsistence. Their exploration of collaboration and urban community is chaired by artist, curator and lecturer Andrew Bick.
Biographies
Andrew Bick
Andrew Bick is an artist and curator. His recent solo exhibitions include two at Galerie Von Bartha, Basel: School Studies, recent work and selected work since 1993 (1 March – 12 May 2012) and School Studies, Ghosts, Arguments at Hales Gallery, London (November – December 2012). He is also Senior Lecturer in the School of Fine Art at Kingston University.
Stefan Horn
Stefan Horn is a curator, project manager, set and exhibition designer who works in the field of visual communications. Since 2000 he has been the artistic director of the Berlin-based art association urban dialogues, which has been experimenting with the urban spaces of the city of Berlin searching for interesting grounds for temporary, public and participative art projects, through site-specific and community-based art projects and urban interventions.
Virginia Nimarkoh
Virginia Nimarkoh is an artist based in London. Her practice incorporates, photography, writing and curating. She studied Fine Art at Goldsmiths University of London. Her work has shown widely at venues including the Museum of Contemporary Art in Detroit, Threadwaxing Space, New York and ICA London. She recently completed commissions for The Royal Parks and The Photographers' Gallery London.